Observations by gavinandmama

I'm not certain it's a downy but it sure looks like it to me.
It was so happy eating bugs.

The pictures I didn't bother sharing were difficult to see any distinguishing features because it was hanging under a small branch with its tail pointed at me for several minutes. It seemed the most content eating in that position and more alert/easily spooked when it was upright against the trunk in the pictures I did post. (Just incase behavior helps narrow down possibilities)

Obviously didn't get close enough to measure but somewhere around 1.5-2ft trying to estimate shell length. It appeared to be climbing down a steep hill just after a hard rain, nearest creek access being another 10-15ft down hill.
It wasn't scared of us but we also tried to stay about 6-8ft away so as not to spook it. It stuck its head out slowly and watched us but overall appeared to be taking a break on its long hot journey downhill back to the creek.

When walking on the paved trail from walnut creek park towards Gracey woods park, it was the steep run off path just after the 2nd bridge.

It showed up in our potted mint plant a couple of weeks ago and with the triple digit temperatures it seems content to spend all day buried in the moist soil.

**month later it is still choosing to stay in the mint. It sometimes leaves for half a day before coming back to the moist soil

***on August 23rd after a lot of rain it appears our Toad friend has left the mint plant. Who knows if it will choose to return during the next drought